October trial date set for Illinois lawmaker

CHICAGO – A judge has set an October trial date for a Chicago Democrat who's facing a federal bribery charge and was re-elected after being expelled from the Illinois House.

Derrick Smith has pleaded not guilty to a charge that accuses him of accepting a $7,000 bribe during an FBI sting. Prosecutors allege he took the money in exchange for helping what he thought was a daycare center obtain a state grant.

The October trial date means he'll serve nearly a year in office before facing trial.

In August, Smith was expelled from office. But voters re-elected him this month, and he's set to take the oath of office Jan. 9.

Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman on Wednesday tentatively scheduled Smith's trial for Oct. 21. The trial is expected to last a week.